Media Release

Hawaii County police have arrested one of the men being sought in connection with a home invasion robbery in Hawaiian Acres last November. Detectives assigned to the Police Department’s Vice and Criminal Investigations sections arrested 28-year-old Brandon Lani this morning around 8:30 at a home in the Orchidland subdivision.

Acting on a tip from the public, police entered the home to execute an arrest warrant stemming from drug charges unrelated to the robbery. Lani was found hiding in a closet and resisted arrest. He was taken into custody after an Electronic Control Device, better known as a "Taser," was deployed on him.

A 26-year-old woman, Neola Borling of Hilo, also was arrested there. She was taken into custody for hindering prosecution and later also booked on one count of first-degree terroristic threatening after she made a threat directed at one of the investigating officers. She is being held at the Hilo police cellblock while detectives continue their investigation.

Lani is also being held at the Hilo cellblock in lieu of $50,000 bail in connection with the arrest warrant. His initial court appearance is scheduled for Monday at 1 p.m. in South Hilo District Court.

Police are still seeking 22-year-old Darren Joao in connection with the home invasion. Police have received unconfirmed reports that Joao has been seen in Naalehu and Puna, but he remains at large.

Detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigations Section are continuing this investigation.

Police ask anyone with information about Joao’s location to call Detective Reed Mahuna at 961-2384 or the Police Department’s non-emergency number at 935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All calls to Crime Stoppers are kept confidential.